Downing St on attack over euro

Downing Street today entered the row over when and whether a referendum should be called on joining the euro, claiming any such decision would "self-evidently" be a political one.

Tony Blair ' s official spokesman said politicians would decide whether to call a public vote, but only if it was in Britain's economic interests to ditch the pound.

He attacked conflicting media reports quoting ministers on whether Britain was more or less likely to join before the next election, and denied government policy had changed since Gordon Brown unveiled five economic tests which must be met before a referendum.